The Singer, playing at the Traverse, is a joint production from Dundee Rep Theatre and Solar Bear, in collaboration with Aberdeen Performing Arts. Written and directed by Cora Bissett, with original music and lyrics by multi-award-winner KT Tunstall, this stage adaptation of Bissett’s nominated short film is an utterly joyful experience.
Dundee Rep has produced many brilliant music-based productions, and they’ve pulled it off once again. The play is properly accessible, featuring fully integrated British Sign Language (BSL) alongside Teleprompters displaying dialogue and music/sound descriptions. This adds to the inventive staging, where two narrators or oracles assume a multitude of roles, from the Glaswegian grandparents to a hilariously determined four-year-old daughter represented by a unicorn headband and backpack. Petre Dobre, one of the narrators, signs throughout, with Hannah Jarrett-Scott frequently joining in. Jamie Rea reprises his award-winning role as Joe from the original film, delivering beautifully fluent and lyrical signed singing and sharing his passion for music, which he feels with his whole body.
The cast playfully checks in with the audience to see who is profoundly deaf or hard of hearing, gently mocking us “hearies”, and even invites everyone to join Joe’s deaf choir after teaching us the chorus in BSL.
The Singer celebrates the deaf community and Joe’s connection to music without it ever feeling like an “issue” drama. Though the plot is predictable and we can all guess the next twist, the energy and pacing carry you along effortlessly.
Dylan Wood delivers great musicianship as Andy, a stalled singer-songwriter inspired by Joe, while Tunstall’s songs are tuneful enough, they don’t dominate the action. But, for me, it’s Hannah Jarrett-Scott who steals the show, a comic genius who drives the action forward with skilful characterisations and who also plays guitar, piano and sings beautifully. Is there no end to their talents?
The Singer is billed as “gig theatre”, but it’s so much more: it’s ultimately a feel-good story with a vital message: music belongs to everyone, and we all deserve to follow our dreams whatever the barriers. Plays like this are crucial for opening our eyes to the different communities out there. It fully deserved its standing ovation. If you can’t beg, borrow or steal a ticket at the Fringe, then I urge you to catch it on its Scottish tour! I guarantee you’ll come out of the theatre with a huge grin.
Listings and ticket information can be found here
